Coupling consolidation theory under combined action of load and electro-osmosis

The coupling consolidation equations for axisymmetric model are established on the basis of the equal strain assumption under the combined action of the load and electro–osmosis. The analytical solutions for average excess pore pressure and radial average degree of consolidation are provided. The present theory considers the interaction between water flows and electrical currents as well as the development of excess pore pressure in the foundation. The method of conversion from hexagonal array of electrodes to axisymmetric array is also provided. Finally, the effect of supply voltage and hydraulic permeability of soil on the dissipation of the excess pore pressure and the radial average degree of consolidation is investigated by use of the method of parametric analysis. For the combined action of load and electro-osmosis, the results show that better consolidation effect can be gained by higher supply voltage, and that the appropriate ratio of electro-osmosis permeability coefficient to hydraulic permeability coefficient ranges from 102 to 103.